OnePlus 13s Review: The Compact Flagship We’ve Been Waiting For
Introduction: Smartphones, Size, and the Search for Balance
In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, we’ve witnessed a steady trend toward larger and more powerful devices. Every year, manufacturers race to deliver more screen, more power, and more features — often at the cost of size, comfort, and usability. As much as tech enthusiasts appreciate this evolution, many users still yearn for a flagship phone that doesn’t require two hands to operate.
Enter the OnePlus 13s, a compact flagship that aims to deliver everything we expect from a high-end smartphone in a smaller, more manageable form factor. This isn't just a shrunken version of a larger phone. According to OnePlus, it's a deliberate attempt to meet the needs of a specific user base that feels overlooked. It's a premium device with fewer compromises than most compact alternatives have offered in the past.
In this in-depth review, we’ll take you through every detail of the OnePlus 13s — from its performance and design to its software and battery life — helping you decide whether this is the right smartphone for your lifestyle.
Unboxing: First Impressions Matter
Opening the box of the OnePlus 13s is a familiar and premium experience. The phone arrives in a bright red OnePlus-branded box that instantly feels high-quality. Inside, you’ll find:
- The OnePlus 13s handset
- A color-matched silicone case
- An 80W SuperVOOC wired charger
- USB-A to USB-C charging cable (in classic OnePlus red)
- Quick start guides and SIM ejector tool
The silicone case is well-fitted and provides decent protection while maintaining the device’s aesthetic. For most users, it will be more than sufficient without needing a third-party case.
The inclusion of the 80W charger is a pleasant surprise in an era where many brands are phasing out chargers altogether. It's a nod to OnePlus' customer-first approach.
Design & Build Quality: Premium Yet Practical
At first glance, the OnePlus 13s impresses with its clean lines, compact size, and premium materials. Measuring 150.8 x 71.7 x 8.2mm and weighing 185g, the phone feels just right in hand — neither too light nor too heavy.
The front is glass, while the frame is crafted from aluminum alloy, providing both sturdiness and a premium touch. Its IP65 rating adds a layer of confidence with dust-tight sealing and resistance to low-pressure water jets. While it’s not a phone for deep water dives, it should handle splashes and rain effortlessly.
A notable change is the absence of the classic Alert Slider, a long-loved OnePlus feature. Instead, the brand has introduced the Plus Key — a customizable button similar to Apple’s Action Button. While it may take some getting used to, it offers added flexibility and could prove more useful for some users.
Color options at launch include elegant finishes that highlight the craftsmanship OnePlus has put into this device.
Display: Small Size, Big Visual Impact
The 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED display is one of the best in its class. Don’t let the size fool you — this screen is packed with features:
- Resolution: 1216 x 2640 pixels
- Pixel Density: 460ppi
- Brightness: Up to 1600 nits (High Brightness Mode)
- Refresh Rate: 1Hz–120Hz (adaptive)
- Color Depth: 1 Billion colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR Vivid
Whether you're browsing the web, watching HDR content, or gaming, the display is vivid, fluid, and responsive. The LTPO technology also helps conserve battery by intelligently adjusting the refresh rate.
Compared to similarly sized devices, this screen stands out not just for its specs, but for its calibration. Colors are natural without being overly saturated, and contrast levels are excellent.
Performance: Elite Processing in a Compact Frame
The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset built on a 3nm process powers the OnePlus 13s. It boasts:
- Octa-core CPU: 2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Phoenix M
- GPU: Adreno 830
- RAM: 12GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 256GB or 512GB UFS 4.0
Day-to-day performance is blazingly fast. Apps open instantly, multitasking is seamless, and the phone breezes through demanding tasks like video editing and 3D gaming.
Thermal management is excellent. Even during extended gaming sessions, the phone remains comfortably warm. Benchmarks place it close to the top of the Android performance ladder, proving that compact doesn't mean underpowered.
Software: OxygenOS 15 on Android 15
Out of the box, the OnePlus 13s runs Android 15 with OxygenOS 15, OnePlus’ customized skin. The UI is clean, fast, and intuitive, offering the right mix of customization and simplicity.
Key features include:
- Circle to Search: Find anything on your screen with a simple gesture
- Smart Sidebar: Quickly access your favorite tools
- Zen Mode & Work-Life Balance: Focus-driven features
- Smooth animations and haptic feedback
Bloatware is minimal, and OnePlus promises regular updates. The user experience is polished, making OxygenOS one of the best Android skins in the market.
Battery Life & Charging: Endurance Meets Speed
Despite its smaller form factor, the OnePlus 13s packs a sizable 5,850mAh battery. Real-world usage comfortably offers 1.5 to 2 days on a single charge, depending on your habits.
Charging options are versatile:
- 80W Wired SuperVOOC
- 33W PPS
- 18W PD and QC
- 5W Reverse Wired Charging
An 80W charge takes the phone from 0 to 100% in under 40 minutes. Wireless charging is missing, but the trade-off feels acceptable given the phone’s thickness and compact design.
Audio & Haptics: A Flagship Soundscape
The phone comes with stereo speakers that are surprisingly loud and rich. They support high-resolution Bluetooth audio codecs like aptX HD and LHDC 5, ensuring wireless audio is just as premium.
Call quality is crystal clear, thanks to strong microphones and network performance. Haptics are tight and responsive, enhancing the user experience with every tap and gesture.
Camera System: Precision and Power
The OnePlus 13s sports a dual-camera setup:
- 50MP Main Camera: f/1.8, 1/1.56", OIS
- 50MP Telephoto Camera: f/2.0, 2x Optical Zoom
While it lacks an ultrawide sensor, image quality is excellent. The main camera performs beautifully across conditions — from bright daylight to low-light scenes. HDR performance, dynamic range, and color science are all refined.
Video capabilities include:
- 4K@30/60fps with Dolby Vision HDR
- 1080p@30/60/240fps
- Gyro-EIS and OIS for stabilization
The telephoto sensor holds its own for portraits and 2x shots, delivering sharp detail without noise.
Front Camera: High-Resolution Selfies and Video
Up front, the 32MP camera delivers:
- 4K@30fps video recording
- Sharp, well-exposed selfies
- Portrait mode with accurate edge detection
Whether you're vlogging, video calling, or snapping social media content, this front camera excels in both quality and detail.
Connectivity and Extra Features
The OnePlus 13s is packed with the latest connectivity options:
- 5G with global bands
- Wi-Fi 7 for ultra-fast downloads
- Bluetooth 5.4 with support for high-end codecs
- NFC, Infrared port, and USB 2.0
The under-display optical fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate. The Circle to Search feature adds an extra layer of smart interaction.
Real-World Usage: The Compact Flagship Lifestyle
The real appeal of the OnePlus 13s lies in how seamlessly it fits into everyday life. It's easy to pocket, effortless to use with one hand, and light enough to carry all day without fatigue. Despite the size, it never feels like a downgrade — performance, battery, and usability all remain top-tier.
From morning alarms to evening Netflix sessions, the 13s handles every task gracefully.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent performance in a compact body
- Beautiful and bright display
- Strong battery life with ultra-fast charging
- Clean, modern software experience
- Versatile camera system
Cons:
- No ultrawide camera
- No wireless charging
- Alert Slider replaced with new Plus Key
Comparison with OnePlus 13 and Competitors
| Feature | OnePlus 13s | OnePlus 13 | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.32" | 6.78" | 6.1" | 6.2" |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | A16 Bionic | Exynos 2400 / Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Battery | 5850mAh | 6000mAh | 3349mAh | 4000mAh |
| Weight | 185g | 215g | 171g | 167g |
The 13s strikes a fine balance between performance and portability. While the iPhone 15 and Galaxy S24 are also compact, the 13s offers better battery life and faster charging.
Who Should Buy the OnePlus 13s?
If you’re someone who:
- Prefers smaller phones without sacrificing performance
- Values battery life and fast charging
- Enjoys clean software and fast updates
- Wants a flagship experience at a more approachable size
Then the OnePlus 13s is tailor-made for you.
Final Verdict: The Compact Flagship, Refined
The OnePlus 13s is a near-perfect answer to a long-standing problem in the smartphone industry: how to build a powerful phone that doesn't overwhelm your hand or pocket. It's elegant, fast, and thoughtfully designed.
While it doesn’t check every single box (wireless charging, ultrawide camera), what it does offer is executed nearly flawlessly.
Rating: 8.8/10 — One of the best compact flagships of the year.
